Disney’s Snow White Faces Box Office Struggles Amid Controversy

LOS ANGELES, California — Disney‘s live-action remake of ‘Snow White‘ opened to disappointing ticket sales over the weekend, taking in only $42.2 million domestically and $43.9 million overseas for a total of about $86.1 million globally. The film, which carries an estimated production cost of $270 million and an additional $100 million in marketing, fell well short of initial expectations of $100 million worldwide.

The film’s lukewarm reception has raised alarms among industry insiders, with rival studio executives predicting it may struggle to reach even $300 million globally. ‘Snow White’ is now facing potential bomb territory, as it requires at least $500 million to break even, according to industry experts.

Initial ticket sales and mixed word-of-mouth suggest the film’s profitability is in doubt. According to THR, rival studio executives and box office analysts agreed upon the grim fate of the film based on its opening numbers and historical comparisons, highlighting 2019’s ‘Dumbo‘, which debuted to $45 million before trailing off to a total of $353 million.

Despite these challenges, the film has sparked conversation surrounding cultural sensitivity and political issues. Lead actress Rachel Zegler has publicly expressed her views on immigration policy, which generated controversy and prompted calls for a boycott from some conservative groups. This backlash has led to mixed critical reception, which is reflected in its B+ CinemaScore among general audiences, a notable departure from the usual A-grade earned by most Disney releases.

Although ‘Snow White’ struggled to capture the hearts of the critics, it received a more favorable A- CinemaScore from female viewers and those under 18. Polls indicate parents and children rated the film four out of five stars, in contrast to a lower three stars among general audiences. However, only 50% of children surveyed expressed interest in recommending the film to friends immediately.

Factors contributing to the film’s increased budget include strict COVID-19 protocols, industry labor strikes, and issues that arose during filming, including a fire on set. The movie was greenlit under the previous Disney regime, led by former executives, while new head David Greenbaum has suggested revisions to the project.

Historically, live-action remakes have proven profitable for Disney, with previous titles like ‘Beauty and the Beast‘ achieving record domestic openings of $174.6 million. This has put increased pressure on ‘Snow White’ to deliver significant earnings, especially considering its troubled production timeline and current reception.

Paul Dergarabedian, Comscore’s chief box office analyst, stated, “Its fate will depend on long-term playability in theaters, streaming potential, and supplementary revenue from merchandising and theme parks.”